Protection order cases move quickly and carry consequences out of proportion to how informal the process can feel. A temporary order is often granted based on one person's written statement, without the other side present, and a full hearing follows within a couple of weeks.
That short window is the whole ballgame. People who skip the hearing because it seems like a formality, or because they assume telling the truth will be enough, frequently end up with a long-term order entered by default.
We represent both sides: people who genuinely need protection and need it to hold up, and people responding to allegations that are exaggerated, one-sided, or tactical.
What types of protection orders exist in Washington?
| Order type | Who it is for | Conduct it addresses |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic violence | Family or household members, and intimate partners | Physical harm, threats, stalking or coercive control within a domestic relationship |
| Sexual assault | Anyone subjected to non-consensual sexual conduct | Sexual assault, where a domestic relationship may not exist |
| Stalking | Anyone being followed, monitored or repeatedly contacted | Stalking and cyberstalking conduct |
| Anti-harassment | Neighbours, coworkers, acquaintances — outside a domestic relationship | A course of conduct that seriously alarms or harasses |
| Vulnerable adult | Adults vulnerable through age, disability or dependence | Abandonment, abuse, financial exploitation or neglect |
| Extreme risk | Family or law enforcement petitioners | Restricting firearm access where a person poses a significant danger |
These are the civil protection orders consolidated under chapter 7.105 RCW. Separate from all of them is a criminal no-contact order, entered by a court in a criminal case — it is possible to be subject to both at once, with different terms.
Separate from all of these are criminal no-contact orders, which a court enters in a criminal case. It is possible to be subject to both at once, with different terms, which is one reason people accidentally violate one while complying with the other.
How does the protection order process work?
A petition is filed describing the conduct and the relief requested. The court may grant a temporary order immediately, based only on that petition, and set a hearing usually within about two weeks. The temporary order takes effect once the respondent is served.
At the hearing, both sides can present evidence and testimony, and the court decides whether to enter a full order and for how long. Full orders can last a year, several years, or in some cases be permanent — which is why the hearing deserves preparation rather than improvisation.
What should I do if I have been served with a protection order?
- Comply with the temporary order completely, starting immediately, even if you believe it is unjust
- Do not contact the petitioner — not to explain, apologize, or ask them to withdraw it
- Attend the hearing; failing to appear commonly results in a long-term order entered against you
- Gather messages, records, and witnesses that address the specific allegations, not general character
- Understand what the order will cost you — firearms, housing, contact with children, employment
- Get advice before the hearing, not after the order is entered
How do I get a protection order?
A petition that succeeds is specific: dates, incidents, messages, and what you are afraid will happen. Vague general statements are the most common reason petitions fail at the full hearing after a temporary order was granted. We help people prepare petitions that hold up under challenge, appear at the hearing, and address the practical terms that matter — residence exclusion, contact with children, workplace protection, and firearm surrender.
How does a protection order affect a custody case?
These frequently overlap, and the overlap runs in both directions. A protection order can determine who stays in the home and what contact a parent has with the children while a family law case is pending, and findings can influence a parenting plan later, since domestic violence is a limiting factor a family court must consider. That connection is why protection order hearings should never be treated as a side issue when a custody case is underway.
What happens if you violate a protection order?
Once an order is in place, violating it is a crime — and, as with criminal no-contact orders, the protected person cannot authorize contact. If circumstances have genuinely changed, the remedy is to ask the court to modify or terminate the order, not to rely on an informal understanding that will not protect you.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a protection order in Spokane?
You file a petition describing the conduct and the protection you need. The court may grant a temporary order right away and will set a full hearing, typically within about two weeks, where both sides can present evidence.
What happens if I ignore the hearing?
The court can enter a full order without hearing from you, and those orders can last years. Failing to appear is one of the most costly mistakes a respondent can make.
Does a protection order go on my criminal record?
A protection order is civil, not a criminal conviction. But it is a court record that can appear in background checks, it can require firearm surrender, and violating it is a criminal offense.
Can a protection order be changed or ended?
Yes, by asking the court to modify or terminate it. What you cannot do is rely on the protected person's permission — only the court can change the order.
Ready to talk through your situation?
Reach a Schwab Law attorney in Spokane today.